MSF Pulse: Caring for the Caregivers — access to mental health care

October 10 is World Mental Health Day.

When people develop mental health disorders — anxiety, depression, post-traumatic reactions — that go beyond their coping skills, specialized care is needed, through group or individual consultations. Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) works in countries where the health system is often failing, particularly in the area of mental health. Support can be done by people trained in counselling techniques, or when available by psychologists and even psychiatrists.

Even for our own medical staff and field workers, working in high-stress environments and witnessing human suffering can take its toll.

In this episode of MSF Pulse, we look at how we make sure all our staff members have access to mental health care and counselling: